Table of Contents

Copyright Information Page

Introduction

Section 1: How to Increase Your Efficiency by Creating Your Own Checklists

Some Tips on Making Any Checklist More Effective

An Example of a Recent Checklist

Section 2 – Six Foundation Checklists for Writers

Checklist 1 – Story Ideas

Checklist 2 – Plot

Checklist 3 – Characters

Checklist 4 – Viewpoint

Checklist 5 – Dialogue

Checklist 6 – Scenes

Section 3 – Setting and Subplots

Checklist 7 – Setting

Checklist 8 – Setting Information Sheet

Checklist 9 – Subplots

Section 4 – Getting Organized

Checklist 10 – Organize Your Time

Checklist 11 – Organize Your Work Space

Checklist 12 – Organize Your Files

Checklist 13 – Organize Your Projects

Section 5 – Critique Groups/Partners

Checklist 14 – Group Meeting Checklist – Mostly Social

Checklist 15 – Group Meeting Checklist – Critique Group

Checklist 16 – Critique Feedback Checklist

Section 6 – Social Networking & Websites

Checklist 17 – Setting up a Website or Blog

Checklist 18 – Your Facebook Page

Checklist 19– Getting Started with Twitter

Checklist 20 – Your Writer’s Network

Section 7 – Getting Published

Checklist 21 – Researching Publishers

Checklist 22 – Writing a Synopsis

Checklist 23 – Publishing on Kindle

A Final Word – and a Bonus for You

Appendix 1: More Help for Writers

Introduction

The idea for a writer’s Book of Checklists popped into my head when I fine-tuning the list of titles in my Busy Writer series. Actually, it more than ‘popped into’ my head – it was more like a blinding flash!

You see, while I was planning the series, I was actually checking items off a list sitting at my right elbow. The checklist was related to my business: I wanted to link my new e-books with my long-established Writing4Success website and Tipsheet, my writers’ e-courses and my assessment service.

Checklists, I thought. Of course!

A checklist is one of the most effective tools any writer can use. In the past, I have used checklists for characters, plotting, dialogue, and a whole bunch of other aspects of technique. I have used them for step-by-step processes, such as uploading pages and products to a website, creating sales pages and linking them to PayPal, and editing graphics and photos.

I’ve also used them for time management, career planning, networking and dozens of other things. I have, in short, found them to be an indispensable tool.

It's likely that you already use a checklist in its most basic form - the good old 'to-do' list. How often do you make a shopping list? A list of household chores? A list of debts to tackle?

When you make a list, you are acknowledging that anything on it has to be dealt with in some way. Calling it a 'checklist' simply infers that you need to tick off the items on it as the desired action is completed.

Checklists ensure that: 

# you don't forget anything important

# you know (a) what you've done and (b) what you need to do

# you build your skills in an organized way

This book contains 23 different checklists that you can use for your writing and your business, and I can tell you that they are good checklists. (I know that after getting feedback from them over the years. People who have made use of my checklists in the past have asked me for another copy if they lose them, or whether I have a checklist on a different aspect of writing. One author who bought the Busy Writer’s One-Hour Character suggested that I add a characters’ checklist to the book – which I will do.)

These checklists have been created to help you check everything from your basic ideas (are they worth developing into a plot?) to your marketing plan for your published book (how can you make sure people see your book? How can you encourage them to buy?) You’ll find checklists for plot, characters, scenes, dialogue, viewpoint, and a whole lot more (just take a look at the table of contents!)

However, as I refined my use of checklists, I realized that the best checklists (that is, the most useful) were the ones I created myself, and in the very first chapter I talk about how you can make a highly effective personalized checklist from any one of the checklists in this book.

Let’s look at that in a little more detail: I’ll delve deeper into how you can create your own checklists, and give you a recent example.

Section 1: How to Increase Your Efficiency by Creating Your Own Checklists

With at checklist at your elbow, you can make sure that you don’t forget something essential when you write or edit your book (or when you’re promoting your published book).

What kinds of checklists do writers need? Here are some possible topics:

a. Writing Technique and Plotting.

This is the most obvious type of checklist for a writer, and you'll get off to a great start by using the 6 Foundation Checklists in this book:

(1) Getting Ideas

(2) Plot

(3) Characters

(4) Viewpoint

(5) Dialogue

(6) Scenes

b. Grammar and Language.

What causes problems when you're writing? If there are some aspects of grammar, punctuation and/or sentence structure that continually trip you up, add them to your personal checklist. Some suggestions:

(1) Punctuation - commas, colons, semi-colons, quotation marks, exclamation marks, question marks.

(2) Grammar - past tense, present tense, past perfect tense; first person, second person, third person; who/whom

(3) Sentence structure - conjunctions (and, but); run-on sentences; comma splice; sentence fragments

These are just a few suggestions. Substitute your own particular bugbears, and add more as they are brought to your attention. Unfortunately, you'll probably need feedback from someone else to alert you to errors associated with grammar and language.

c. Career Development.

What do you need to do or to work on to build your writing career? Make a list of anything that seems relevant, then break it down into manageable chunks that you can chip away at. Some examples:

(1) Join or form a writers' group

(2) Buy a book on dialogue

(3) Do a course on plotting

(4) Research viewpoint on the Internet

(5) Attend the next writers' conference in your chosen genre

(6) Do a writers’ workshop

(7) Send out query letters to publishers or agents

(8) Research Indie publishing and how to write, format and upload an e-book

(9) Do a course on public speaking; join Toastmasters

(10) Learn how to build a website or start a blog

(12) Create a media kit for download from your website and/or to hand out to journalists

d. Home Office and Equipment.

(1) Buy a new laptop

(2) Organise writer's reference library (hard copy or on your computer or e-reader

(3) Buy a new printer

(4) Shop for a new chair

(5) Organise filing cabinet

(6) Investigate or upgrade software

(7) Buy new noticeboard/whiteboard

(8) Organise computer files

(9) Buy external hard drive for backup

(10) Learn how to filter email and create folders in your mailbox

Five More Ideas for Checklists

- Organise a writer's group (e.g. organization and procedure)

- Improve your writing technique (e.g. learning from books, courses, Internet, forum)

- Learn new skills or software (e.g. how to do podcasts, how to create a promotional video or book trailer for YouTube)

- Steps in building a network of writing colleagues (e.g. what kind of writers would you like to know? How can you meet them?)

- Moving from 9-5 work outside the home to freelance writing work (step by step: what you need to do to make the transition)

You will actually find a few checklists in this book that fit the above examples.

Some Tips on Making Any Checklist More Effective

(a) Make it personal! Yes, this bears repeating. Don't leave in anything on a checklist template that you don't need or want.

(b) Break it down into small tasks. Do this for EVERY CHECKLIST YOU CREATE. Keep breaking down topics until every item you have on your checklist is achievable in one working day.

(c) If you have particular difficulty with one item, analyse it to find out why. Do you need to fill a knowledge gap before you can do a task? Or is this something that you don't really want to do? If you don't, how can you make it easier/more palatable? If you STILL don't want to do it, do you need to think more carefully about what you really want? If you need money to achieve it, how can you earn that money? (Sell things on eBay? Get a part-time job? Work overtime? Have a garage sale? Ask for what you want as a combined Christmas/birthday present from family?)

An Example of a Recent Checklist

I have a number of different blogs and websites, and I use WordPress on a lot of them. I wanted to add my Busy Writer books to the sidebar – and, with the theme I’m using, that involves quite a few steps. I wrote them down as I went along, and now I have a checklist to follow every time I want to add a clickable image to any sidebar in WordPress.

Here’s what the checklist looks like:

Checklist for Adding Clickable Images to a WordPress Sidebar

# Using Irfanview, resize images of book covers to 125 px wide.

# Using a new browser window, upload book covers to Photobucket, creating a new album called 125px covers.

# Open all books at Amazon in separate tabs in same browser window.

# Log in to blog.

# Open widgets area (Dashboard/Appearance/Widgets).

# Open Left Panel content area

# Drag (Image) Jetpack Widget to Left Panel area

# Click Widget to open.

# Copy image link from under cover of book in Photobucket and paste in “Image URL” box.

# Copy URL for the book from Amazon page and paste into “Link URL” box.

# Set image alignment to ‘center’.

# Save

# Close widget

# Visit site to check that image is placed correctly and redirects to Amazon Kindle page when clicked.

 That’s it. The checklist above has 14 steps, and I know that if I want to add an image to the sidebar after not having done it for a month or so, I’ll be SO glad that I can refer to this checklist to do it quickly!

I am constantly creating new checklists throughout the year. Once, I used to just scrawl the steps down on scraps of paper, which I would (of course) lose. So much wasted time! Now, if there’s anything I plan to do more than once or twice, I write down the steps and save them without even really thinking about it.

Checklists can do wonders to help you to organise your writing life and to achieve your goals. Spend time on them to make them effective and useful. Then share them with your writing colleagues!

Section 2 – Six Foundation Checklists for Writers

You can see by the suggestions in Chapter 1 that you can create dozens and dozens of checklists. (Hundreds, probably!)

The six checklists in this first chapter are what I think of as the foundation checklists: getting ideas, plot, characters, viewpoint, dialogue and scenes. I could have included one on grammar and language, and I could have chosen to combine characters and dialogue (because the way they talk is so integral to making characters work) but in the end, I decided that these six were the most useful, exactly as they are. No doubt you will not need every item on the checklist; you can either ignore the ones that don’t apply, or use the checklist as a template for your own.

Checklist 1 – Story Ideas

Not every idea you get will be suitable to develop into a book. It’s better to apply the items on this checklist to your idea before you get too far into writing the book – it could save you hours or weeks of time, and a whole lot of disappointment when the finished book doesn’t really work.

#  Does your idea excite you and make you keen to start writing the story?

#  Have you given the idea enough time to 'jell'? (Sometimes it takes a while before that 'first flash' develops into a viable idea.)

#  Can you imagine a character onstage when you think about your idea?

#  Can you see where the story is going? (Even if you don't know all the specifics when you sit down to write, you should be able to imagine the overall 'shape' of the story.)

#  Can you see where you can build conflict in your story idea? (Remember: no conflict, no story!)

#  Can you use your ideas about conflict in the story to create a series of challenges for your character to overcome?

#  Do you have a clear idea of who your supporting characters will be? (Secondary characters, antagonist, minor characters etc)

#  Is your story 'big enough' for a book or should it be a short story? Conversely, is your short story too complex?

#  If your idea is a 'big' one (i.e. suitable for a story with several strands and twists) can you visualize several subplots?

#  Can you imagine ways in which your main character will grow and/or change during the course of the story?

#  Is your idea more than just single episodes loosely linked by a character? (Beware of writing the 'episodic' story. Writers of children's stories and/or fantasies often fall into this trap - for example, they show characters visiting a magic land and having a lovely time meeting all sorts of strange creatures and seeing amazing sights, and then... they return home. This is not a story: there's no conflict, no goal, no resolution.)

#  Is your idea more than a 'slice of life'? (A 'slice of life' is more like an essay: it shows a scene from everyday life and is usually heavy on emotion, imagery and meaning but light on plot, conflict and pacing.)

#  If your idea is for a short story or a short children's book, can you imagine a special twist or added humor that will 'lift' the ending and surprise the reader?

#  Can you categorize your story idea as a specific genre? (e.g. romance, adventure, fantasy, sci fi, paranormal, mystery, western... this makes it easier for an editor to 'sell' the idea to a publisher.)

#  Will this idea lead to the kind of story YOU like to read?

#  Is this idea suitable for today's reader, or is it reminiscent of stories that would now seem outdated? (For example, light romances have changed a great deal in the past 10-20 years, and children's stories have also evolved.)

Checklist 2 – Plot

There is nothing more disappointing than a plot that loses its way and perhaps, even worse, just kind of fizzles out. Work your way through this checklist to decide whether you’re starting your story at the right place; whether the pacing will work, whether it’s plausible - and19 other items.

#  What is at stake? Will the main character care? Will the reader care? Do you need to raise the stakes?

#  Have you started your story at a turning point or crisis for the main character?

#  Does your main character have a clear plan of action throughout the story? When challenged, does he/she opt for a logical change of plan?

#  Does the main character have a worthy adversary?

#  Is your main character believably motivated?

#  Are you clear on whose story this is? Is this made clear by the viewpoint chosen? Is the viewpoint you've chosen the best to tell this story?

#  Are the main characters interesting and well-developed, with clear goals?

#  Are your secondary characters clearly motivated? Is this believable?

#  Problems/Challenges/Complications: can you identify them? How will character overcome them? Are they too easily solved? Are there enough of them for the length of the story?

#  Is the story plausible? Could it happen to any of us?

#  Genre: is it clear to readers which genre this falls into?

#  Is the conflict immediate?

#  Are any subplots closely related to the main plot?

#  How will the story appeal to your readers' emotions?

#  Does the pacing work? (Is there too much non-stop action? Too many slow sections?

#  Is action followed by reaction?

#  Does the story build to a climax?

#  Is there a moment when all seems lost?

#  Mood and Tone: Is the general tone of the book clear at the beginning? (Humorous, suspenseful, romantic etc.)

#  Setting: Is there a clear and vivid geographical setting? Is there a convincing professional setting (if applicable)?

#  Time: Is it clear WHEN the story takes place? On reflection, is the time span of the story appropriate, or too long/short?

#  Is there a satisfying ending? (Everything comes together and the goal is reached.)

 Checklist 3 – Characters

This checklist covers everything from your understanding of the character’s goals and motivation to ‘reader appeal’ and the risks involved in too much manipulation of your characters.  

#  Have you spent time thinking about the main character so you understand his/her goals and motivation? (Preparing a character file can help - even if you never look at it again!)

#  Will your main character appeal to your readers? (If readers don't care about a character, they won't keep reading.)

#  Will the reader be able to empathize with your main character's goals or problems?

#  Is your main character believably motivated throughout the story?

#  Have you started your story at a crisis or turning point for the main character?

#  Have you introduced aspects of the various characters' appearance and personality gradually as the story unfolds, rather than 'dumping' too much information into the narrative early in the story?

#  Have you ensured that all characters come across as individuals? (Different looks, motivation, speech patterns, reactions etc.)

#  Have you made sure that all characters are neither all good nor all bad?

#  Have you provided your main character with challenges that will show character growth at the end of the story?

#  What is at stake for the main character? Is this strong enough? How can you raise the stakes?

#  Have you created plenty of emotional depth by filtering the action through the viewpoint character's thoughts and feelings?

#  Are your secondary characters clearly motivated? Is this motivation believable?

#  Are your minor characters believable but not too intrusive? (Beware of letting a secondary or minor character take over the story.)

#  Does each character speak and act according to his/her age, educational level, and socio-economic status? If not, does this say something important about the character? (e.g. if a child sounds far more mature than you'd expect for a child of that age, have you made this believable?)

#  Does the character's reaction to each situation 'fit' with the personality you have given him/her? If he/she is acting out of character, is this understandable given the situation?

#  Is the character's reaction to each situation logical, or are you manipulating the characters to suit your initial plot?

#  Are you interested enough in your own characters to want to sit down at the keyboard regularly to tell their story?

Checklist 4 – Viewpoint

In any story, it is essential that you understand whose story you are telling. If you are using multiple viewpoints, you need to handle them carefully and ensure that you’re not slipping out of viewpoint. (This is something that can really annoy readers!)

#  Have you decided whose story this is?

#  Have you decided the best viewpoint to use for your main character(s)? For example: first person, third person subjective (singular); third person subjective (multiple)? If you are not sure, try writing a scene from both first person and third person viewpoints and see which 'feels' best, and which reads better. Also take into consideration whether you want readers to know something that the main character doesn't know - if so, you will need third person viewpoint.

#  If you are using multiple viewpoints, is it clear at the beginning of each chapter or scene whose eyes we are looking through? Do you need to insert transition sentences to make this clear?

#  Have you checked to make sure that you are not slipping out of viewpoint (e.g. describing a person's expression when we are supposed to be 'inside' that person's skin?)

#  Have you reduced the number of viewpoint characters to only those necessary to tell the story? (This may be one character or six characters - but generally it is most effective to have no more than four.)

#  Have you avoided switching viewpoint in the middle of a scene? (This is not 'wrong', but much of the time you lose more than you gain: the reader becomes distanced by constant head-hopping, and finds it harder to identify with the characters.)

#  If you use multiple viewpoints, does each character seem like an individual? (Different characters should have different views of the world. Each person's internal monologue will reflect their individuality.)

#  Have you filtered the SETTING through the viewpoint character's world view? (Different characters will see the same setting in different ways. What is important to one person may not be noticed by another.)

#  Have you shown your viewpoint character's emotions and thoughts about what is happening to him/her? (This helps the reader to empathize with your viewpoint character.)

#  If you have a child as a viewpoint character in your story, have you taken care that his perspective on events rings true for his age? (A common mistake is to have a child sounding like a shorter version of an adult.)

#  If you use multiple viewpoints, have you alternated them in a way that helps to build suspense and to show events coming to a head?

#  If you use multiple viewpoints, do you have sections where the smooth flow of the story is spoiled by too many short scenes from different viewpoints?

#  If you are using first person viewpoint, have you checked your story to make sure that you are not telling the reader information that this character couldn't possibly know?

#  Have you done everything possible to make sure the reader identifies with each viewpoint character? Do we really 'become' that character?

Checklist 5 – Dialogue

Dialogue is a lot more than the words that come out of your characters’ mouths. This checklist gives you 17 different things to look for in any exchange of dialogue.

#  Does your dialogue demonstrate that you know how to show differences in ethnic background, social standing, education levels and ages? (If not, go out one day with the specific intention of listening to different rhythms and patterns of speech.) Does each of your characters sound like an individual?

#  Is it clear who is saying what in each scene?

#  Have you over-used speech tags? (These are necessary only if it is otherwise unclear who is speaking.)

#  Have you taken into account that most people use contractions in conversation? (E.g. she's rather than she is; they're rather than they are; it'll rather than it will; etc.)

#  Does your dialogue read well aloud? (If it sounds stilted, make some changes.)

#  Have you broken up long passages of direct speech with actions, details of the non-viewpoint character's expression, or details of the viewpoint character's thoughts?

#  Does each speaker's response flow smoothly from the previous speaker's words? (Unless you are trying to show that one of the speakers is distracted.)

#  Have you made sure that quotation marks are used for words that are spoken aloud, NOT thoughts?

#  Have you checked that your sentence structure is varied? (No repetitive patterns and not too many sentences starting with the same word.)

#  Does your dialogue sound appropriate for the age of each character?

#  Have you, where appropriate, indicated a response by showing some body language or a facial expression, rather than using words?

#  Have you avoided 'info-dumping' in dialogue? (That is, using dialogue unnaturally as a way of filling in the backstory. For example: having one character tell another something they would obviously already know.)

#  Have you avoided using dialogue to express YOUR religious, political or social views, rather than the views of the character?

#  Have you woven the viewpoint character's thoughts and emotions into the conversation as it is taking place? (Avoid the 'sandwich technique' - writing a slab of direct speech using only speech tags, followed by a slab showing the character thinking or acting, then a slab showing direct speech, and so on.)

#  Have you mostly 'shown' the reader the dialogue as it is happening, rather than 'reporting' what has been said? (Writers who are uncomfortable with dialogue often resort to this: "He told James what he had seen and then they decided what to do next. June came in and offered her opinion. A little later, they all set off..." etc. etc.)

#  Does every passage of dialogue move the story forward or show us something about the character?

Checklist 6 – Scenes

Scenes are vitally important because they are the building blocks of your story. (Forget chapters: they can start and stop anywhere.) A scene has to have its own purpose, as do the character(s) in the scene. This checklist looks at structure, pacing, character strategy, viewpoint and 11 other items. 

#  Have you chosen the best viewpoint character for this scene? (A rule of thumb is this: the best viewpoint character is usually the one with the most to lose.)

#  Does this character have a definite goal for the scene? (This may be a problem to overcome; another character to be questioned; a place to be reached etc.)

#  Is the time and place of the scene clear to the reader? (You may have foreshadowed this in a previous scene. If not, make sure there is a clear transition sentence so the reader understands 'where' and 'when'.)

#  Is there an inciting incident for this scene? (Earlier in the story, there should have been an incident that made THIS scene necessary. If this is the first scene in the book, that incident will be in the past. THIS scene is likely to have something happen that will incite a following scene.)

#  Have you included conflict in the scene? (The viewpoint character wants something: what is going to prevent him from getting it, or make his job harder?)

#  Who or what is the opposition to the main character getting what he wants? (This may be his own doubts/fears; forces of nature; other characters. Be wary of letting your character get what he wants too easily - readers get bored if there is no conflict.)

#  What is the main character's strategy for getting what he or she wants? (Is this logical behavior for this person? Does it 'fit' with the personality you have given the character?)

#  Have you carefully planned the resolution? Does the main character get what he wants? How does this propel him into another situation (scene)?

#  Does the scene move the story forward? (If the scene is included solely to show us aspects of a character's personality, think about taking it out and showing us these things in another scene that DOES move the story forward.)

#  Is the scene well-paced? (It should fit in with the pace of the story; don't have too many scenes of furious action following one another; don't have too many slower scenes in a row.)

#  Is the scene an appropriate length? If it seems to drag, see what you can cut out. If it seems to race along too breathlessly, look for opportunities to slow it down by telling us more about the viewpoint character's thoughts or emotions.

#  Have you used scenes and sequels appropriately? (A scene should have a goal, conflict and resolution. A sequel is a section of narrative where the viewpoint character reflects on what has happened and decides on his next course of action.)

#  Have you arranged your scenes in the most effective order? Could you increase suspense or improve pacing by shuffling your scenes around?

#  Do you need to 'play out' some scenes instead of TELLING the reader what happened? (You may be missing an opportunity to add emotional punch if you report action or dialogue instead of letting the reader 'join in'.)

#  Have you ended the scene in a way that makes the reader keen to keep turning pages to see what happens next?

Section 3 – Setting and Subplots

You will already have done some research about the setting for your story, insofar as it impacts on the how characters develop and how the plot unfolds.

These two checklists invite you to delve deeper into the story setting, ensuring that you pick up on all the small details that make your story come to life.

Checklist 7 – Setting

#  Have you created a believable, interesting setting that interests the reader without boring them with long descriptions?

#  Does your physical background evoke the right atmosphere and mood for your scene? (Note that the same background can look idyllic or threatening, depending on the weather, time of year, time of day, and mood of the viewpoint character.)

#  Have you carefully chosen small details of the setting to bring it to life? (Technology in a hospital; expressions on the faces of staff, peeling wallpaper in a neglected house.)

#  Have you gone overboard on the description because you don't want your research to go to waste? (Tighten it up. Use only details that the viewpoint character would (a) notice or (b) care about...if the viewpoint character doesn't see it, it doesn't count.)

#  If your setting is brooding and threatening, have you got just enough to set the mood, but not so much it tips over into melodrama? (Too much, and your book can become farcical.)

#  Have you used words that will evoke images in the reader's mind so they do a lot of the work in filling in details themselves?

#  If your story is set in a specific geographic region or a real town, have you got the details right? (Flora, fauna, city streets, small towns, roads, airports etc. - unless you made up the town.)

#  Have you researched the details of any background/setting that requires specialist knowledge? (Technology, weapons, terrorism, careers & jobs, antiques, cars, planes, etc.)

#  If one or more of your main characters has a demanding job, have you given a realistic portrayal of the time needed to do this job? (e.g. Don't have your male Lead being the CEO of a multi-national company if you need to show him being available to the heroine at all times of the day.)

#  Have you blended in details of professional settings (and convincing dialogue related to the profession) without boring the reader with too much jargon?

#  Have you used Google maps or search engine capabilities to 'visit' countries, cities, houses, venues, etc.? (E.g. use accommodation directories to look inside rooms in hotels, to research lives of the rich and famous, and so on.)

#  Have you got a handy research file to refresh your memory about your setting and background? (Have photos/brochures on hand or browser windows open; keep a setting information sheet beside you.)

#  Do you vary the setting in different scenes, to maintain interest and give the impression that your characters are on the move?

#  Have you got too many different locales and settings, so the reader constantly has to learn about somewhere new?

Checklist 8 – Setting Information Sheet

Start by using Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Images to ‘visit’ your locale and find out what it looks like. Then see what else you can find out about your chosen setting (geographical and/or professional) by searching for articles, business reports, AGM minutes, forum posts or whatever it takes.

The following checklist is a useful basis. Add as many points as you feel necessary to make your setting authentic.

#  Name of city/town/place and population (it can be fictional)

#  Broader geographic region: Which country/state?

# What are the general impressions on first sight? (Keep your characters in mind. A military scout might get a different first impression from a resident or tourist.)

#  Climate / Flood risk / drought / other weather conditions

#  First impressions of locals (again through the eyes of your character[s])

#  Layout of city/town/place (sketch or print out a map)

#  Style and age of buildings in main street (tip: if fictional, pick a similar town/city that really exists and use this as a template)

#  Style and age of residences (might need to break this up into different socio-economic neighborhoods in some towns/cities – write down names and descriptions)

  - Affluent suburbs/streets

  - Average-income suburbs

  - Poor suburbs/streets

#  Type of law enforcement

#  Typical crimes/crime rate

#  Daily/weekly newspapers; appropriate newspaper from largest nearby city

#  Entertainment and Sporting Venues; Shopping Malls; Strip Malls; small-town stores

#  Transportation available (or lack of it) - buses, trains, boats, taxis, airports, cars (types and age).

#  Gathering places for different age groups: clubs, cafes, restaurants, library, cinema, social services

#  Main form of entertainment for locals through the eyes of the main characters

#  Sensory impressions (for various areas of the town and buildings: include local industries or farming community if applicable): smells/aromas; typical weather; quality and quantity of food/coffee/alcohol available; places of beauty/eyesores; sounds or noises associated with area; other.

#  Local flora and fauna

Checklist 9 – Subplots

Before we move on to the subplots checklist, here are a few tips that may help you create a subplot that will work well in your novel. 

** Search for subplots in published novels and make a list of the types.

** Look at your own life. What's a major issue for you right now? What's a minor issue? You could be looking at a possible plot and sub-plot.

** Think carefully about your secondary characters. Write a short biography on each one. What is there in that biography that you could develop into a sub-plot?

Your story may or may not have subplots. If it does, this checklist will help you to ensure that your subplot does what it is supposed to do.

Sub-Plot Checklist

#  Have you decided on the main purpose for your subplot? (Does your subplot (a) mirror the main action? Does it provide relief from non-stop action?  [e.g. a humorous subplot] Does it develop a romance? Does it heighten suspense?)

#  Have you used the subplot to maintain pace in your story when the main plot has to slow down? (Complications from the subplot can restrict the main character's ability to act, or take his attention away at a critical time.)

#  Does your subplot shed light on the personality of one or more of the characters?

#  Are your plot and main subplot interwoven from the beginning of the story? (A second subplot can be introduced slightly later.)

#  Have you given your readers a chance to get to know the people in both your plot and subplot before the story gets underway? (Readers care more about what happens to people they "know".)

#  Is your subplot closely related to the main story? (The story should be able to stand alone without the subplot, but don't, for example, make it about two minor characters that the reader doesn't care about.)

#  Have you shown how the events in the subplot cam affect the action in the main plot and vice versa?

#  Does your subplot follow the same basic pattern as the main plot? (Developments and setbacks; crisis and resolution.)

#  Have you made sure that the subplot doesn't overshadow the main plot?

#  Is the subplot interesting to readers or an annoyance that drags them away from the main action?

#  Have you structured your story so that when the main plot is going through a calm period, the reader is given something of interest to read about via the subplot?

#  Have you ensured that your subplot doesn't have a 'tacked on' feeling to pad out the story? (Introduce it near the beginning and weave it in skillfully)

#  Have you made sure that everything is resolved in the subplot by the end of the story? (All loose ends need to be tied up, just as they do in the main plot.)

Section 4 – Getting Organized

A large part of being an effective writer is being able to put your hands on what you want, when you want it. That might sound simple, but unless you’re already supremely organized – it’s not.

How many times have you frantically hunted through your computer folders, looking for some notes you made, or for a vital checklist? How many times have you saved and re-saved something in several different directories, and not been able to find the most recent when you need it?

How many times have you worked in a teeny-tiny space because you’re hemmed in on all sides by piles of paper and books?

In a comment added to a Weekly Challenge on my Writing Challenges blog (the Challenge was to ‘whip your office into shape’) one writer said: “I was getting frustrated with the pile of ‘stuff’ near my desk. The pile was getting taller and messier and my writing not progressing as I seemed to be distracted by the ‘stuff’. So I ignored websites, challenges and all else and set about creating order in the chaos…. I work in a limited time frame with many family commitments so often feel a focus on neatness an unnecessary luxury, but in reality a sense of order eliminates distractions and saves time when I can find what I need quickly. For anyone out there feeling frustrated and ‘out of sorts’ a good ‘clean out’ clears not only your personal writing space but the mind as well. I’m not a fanatical housekeeper but order in my writing corner is essential to my creative being.”

Enough said.

Even if you don’t want to get organized now, the time will come. When it does, it really helps to have a checklist at hand.

These three checklists will help you organize your time, your working space, and your files. If they don’t suit your present needs, use them as a basis to create your own ‘Get Organized’ checklist.

Checklist 10 – Organize Your Time

Before you can start using your time more productively, you need to be aware of how you currently use time. This checklist starts with that, then goes into other aspects or organizing time.

#  Know how you use time: draw up a chart in half-hour increments, starting when you get up and finishing with your normal bedtime. Fill in hours already taken (your job, household duties, social/family commitments etc), and then fill in what's left as you do it. Keep this record for 2 days. Then start culling.

#  If you don't want/need to be on certain committees or a member of social groups, do what you need to (phone/write/visit in person) to opt out.

#  If you are carrying too much of the household chores, create a new roster or outsource some of the work.

#  If you watch certain TV shows just because others like them, block off that time and use it to write/plot/edit instead. Or else keep a notebook by you and use the time to jot down plot/character ideas based on the show.

#  Eliminate anything that you either don't enjoy or don't need to do.

#  Look at all areas of your life: family, health and fitness, recreation and relaxation, self-development, finances, employment, writing. Rank your goals in order of importance. Now look at the time you are allocating to achieving each of these goals, versus the time you NEED to allocate. Juggle the allocation until the most important goal gets the most time.

#  Create timelines to achieve your goals. Remember you don't have to achieve everything at once. Some goals can be worked on in 3-6 months' time.

#  When you have decided on the amount of time you want to allocate to your various goals, plan your day the night before. (Especially what you want to achieve with your writing.) Don't overload your 'to do' list. Set yourself up for success, not failure.

#  Balance your to-do list to maximize success. Put fast and easy tasks at the top of the list. Next schedule the 'big' tasks - those that need concentration or a large chunk of time. (Place your not-so-favorite tasks here, while you're still fresh. If they threaten to run over time, decide whether it's more productive to finish them now or continue the next day.) Finish off your list with smaller, more easily achievable tasks, or ones that can get away from you (e.g. social networking, email.) 

#  In a notebook, draw up a list of small tasks you can work easily wherever you are. (Make these things you can finish in a short time - anything from 5 to 30 minutes. E.g. think of a name for a character, write an opening hook, write 10 lines of dialogue, create a setting. Keep the notebook and pen in your handbag.)

#  Institute a system of prioritizing/dealing with tasks as they arise. The easiest is the 4-D method: Dump it, Delegate it, Delay it, Do it. (The trap for the procrastinator is the 3rd 'D': 'Delay it'. Keep that particular list SMALL.)

#  Learn to say "NO" gracefully (but in a way that leaves no room for negotiation). Your time is precious.

Checklist 11 – Organize Your Work Space

To organize your work space, you first need to understand your needs and your work flow. Then you can organize your work space to accommodate those needs.

#  Do you need to move your work space somewhere else? (Two contrasting scenarios: you might need to move your work area somewhere closer to the kids' TV/play area so you can supervise them while you're working, OR you might need to move your work space AWAY from family noise.)

#  Do you need to negotiate with family to give your writing a higher priority? (E.g. is it more desirable for you to have office space than it is to have a rarely-used guest bedroom?)

#  Do you have to share your work space with someone else? (School-age child, spouse, parent, friend?) If so, is there a fair division of space? Stake your claim to YOUR share of the space and enforce it - no overflowing files/mess!

#  How much space do you have available? (If necessary, measure it so you know better how to place your furniture and/or files.)

#  What are the things you can't do without? (E.g. laptop computer and portable file box.)

#  What things DON'T you have that would make your work space more efficient? (Desk - chair - lighting - printer - filing cabinet - storage cupboard etc.)

#  Write down the list of things you have that you want to keep.

#  Write down a list of things you need to buy/acquire to make your writing space work better.

#  Start pruning. For optimal use of space, digitize as much as possible. If you have a computer file, throw out the paper copy. If you don't have a computer file of a document, consider scanning it. Save all digital files a) to your computer and (b) to a backup disk.

#  Get rid of unnecessary furniture. (Don't hang on to a set of shelves or filing cabinet simply because you 'paid good money for it'. If you no longer need something, give it to family, friends or charity.)

#  Start organizing (or re-organizing) your work space according to your work flow.  Ensure that tools you use all the time are close at hand (stapler/sticky tape/pens/note cubes), and the used-only-occasionally things (reference books/software manuals/fan or heater etc.) are stored neatly nearby. If you store things in boxes, LABEL those boxes.

#  Storage: Establish an organized system that works for YOU. (Do you want a couple of storage trays, or do labelled suspension files work better for you? Do you use notebooks or is everything on the computer? What size notebooks work best? Where will you keep them?)

Checklist 12 – Organize Your Files

The key to good organization of your files is simple: you need to be able to find any of your stored information quickly. This applies to email, contacts, manuscripts, passwords and usernames, research and checklists.

#  Make a list of all the files you use in your work. (This includes all the files mentioned above plus any others that are relevant.) Survey your computer and storage systems to see how you are currently organizing your files.

#  Identify your files with a color, number or code to identify those that belong together.

#  Work out the best way to make the various types of files work for you. (In a filing cabinet? In folders on your computer? In drawers?)

Paper Files

#  Label folders, boxes, or file drawers clearly.

#  Ensure that each file is stored appropriately. (Tip: Keep a small notebook as a Master File List, or open a Word document or Excel spreadsheet to record where everything is.)

#  Keep often-used files within easy reach. (Your current project can be kept in a portable file box next to your desk.)

#  If you use folders, work out a system for those folders that works efficiently. (e.g. naming the folders, dividing them into sections, type of dividers (plastic, cardboard, plastic sleeves), naming each section, contents list for thick folders.)

Digital Files

#  If you use Windows, most of your files will be kept in your Documents folder. Start by making a list of aptly-named folders to store your work. (e.g. Master folders can be FICTION and NON FICTION. Sub-folders under these can be labelled with the name of your Work in Progress. Sub-sub-folders can be labelled with different aspects of the work. (Example: DOCUMENTS >> FICTION >> Adventure Island >> then more sub-folders like Characters, Plot, Setting, Research, Adventure Island Draft 1, etc.)

#  Make your current projects easier to find by using Microsoft's LIBRARIES feature. (You can create new collections [or libraries] of work, and include folders from different places - e.g. Music or Pictures.

#  Microsoft's ONE NOTE is a handy way of storing your research in Notebooks which can be then divided into Sections and Pages. Anything you paste in from online research is automatically referenced to the source.

#  Take charge of your email: use filters, stars, tags or whatever is necessary to organize your mail. (If you are currently checking your email via a web browser, consider using a computer-based program like Mozilla's Thunderbird as well. You can then create new folders to store your email, and filter incoming email. Use online forums and the program's HELP features to learn how to use the program.)

#  If you regularly access sites with usernames and passwords, consider using a program like ROBOFORM to keep track of them all. (You can access the list with one master password. RoboForm will automatically fill in your username and password with one click.)

#  Back up everything. If you do not have a backup system, organize it ASAP. For peace of mind, back up your work (a) on your computer, (b) on a disk, external drive or thumb drive and (c) online. (An example of online storage is Just Cloud. (http://www.justcloud.com) There are plenty of others; do your own research... but DO choose one!)

Checklist 13 – Organize Your Projects

A project can be anything from writing a novel to establishing a presence on Twitter/Facebook or planning a workshop. Each project you begin should have a timeline (starting point and finish point) and milestones (interim goals). Most of us work better with deadlines: they give us something to aim for.

#  First, determine how many projects you have. Make a list. (E.g. write novel, build a Twitter following, increase number of 'likes' on Facebook, start a critique circle, write a blog post every week/every day, etc.)

#  Determine how much time you want to give to each project. (You can do this on a weekly or daily basis. (E.g. of daily time allocation: 3 hours fiction, 1 hour articles, 1 hour blog posts, 1 hour social networking.)

#  Identify, in a logical order, the different things you will need to accomplish for each project. (You may find some of the other checklists in this book useful for this. Create your own checklists if you need to, so you won't forget a step.)

#  Decide how much of the project you can accomplish yourself, and which parts of it you may need help with. (This may be in the form of training courses, pre-reading, or paid help.)

#  Make a list of the resources you need for your project. This may range from software to 'how-to' books to a new computer.

#  Decide whether you need to outsource any of your project. (Example 1: if your aim is to create a website and you don't want to spend the time to learn, get someone else to build it - but in a way that gives you control of the content. Example 2: If you want to create a book trailer to promote your book, you may want to outsource it.)

#  Look at the cost of the project. If you are doing it all yourself, the only cost may be time. If you are outsourcing, or paying for a critique, how much are you prepared to invest? Decide on the project COST at the outset and try to stick to it.

#  Create a timeline for each project, based on the amount of time you have allocated to each one. The timeline will include the following: Start date, milestones, deadlines, and a finish date. BE REALISTIC. (Example: a novel may have one deadline for the first draft and another for delivery to an editor or upload to Kindle. A Facebook business page may have deadlines of so many status updates and so many 'likes'. Aim to reach deadlines for different projects at different times. Stagger the starting and finishing dates.)

#  Create a master calendar for your projects, beginning with the start date of the first project begun and ending with the finish date of the last project. (You can buy a calendar for this, or use a personal organizer, or create your own calendar on your computer. Do an online search for downloadable/printable calendars.)

#  Leave room to add new, smaller projects as you go along.

#  If you find a project timeline blowing out, STOP. Take the time to sit down and analyze the problem (e.g. Has it blown out because you're taking on too much? Because of a family emergency? Other factors beyond your control?)

#  Step 2 for a project that has blown out: come up with a solution. Your main choices are (a) abandon it (b) revise the timeline (c) get help or outsource some of it.

Section 5 – Critique Groups/Partners

Writers’ groups and critique partnerships work best if you’re organized from the beginning, and everyone shares the same expectations. Some groups are mostly social: the members just want to meet with others who understand what it’s like to be a writer. Others are tightly focused on giving and receiving critiques, so authors can continue to develop their skills.

Every group is different, so it’s best to use these checklists as a guide, and tweak them to ensure that you’re getting what you need.

Checklist 14 – Group Meeting Checklist – Mostly Social

A ‘mostly social’ group is all about support and fun with like-minded people. If you are setting up and running a social group for writers, these are some of the things you need to consider.

#  Where do you want your meetings to be held? (One venue all the time? Private house or public hall? Members to take turn hosting?)

#  How often will meetings be held? (Monthly? Two-Weekly? Weekly?)

#  On what day and at which time will the group meet? (Morning, afternoon or evening? Weekday or weekend?)

#  Will there be a restriction on group numbers? Who will decide this?

#  Is there a process for admitting or voting in new members?

#  How will refreshments be served? (Roster? Host provides? Restaurant? Snacks or full meal?)

#  Will refreshments be served at the beginning or end of the meeting?

#  Who will run the meetings? (Is there a different organizer for each meeting, or will one person be elected each year?)

#  Is there going to be a group newsletter? (If so, who will collate it? Who will contribute? Who will send it?)

#  What is the meeting format? (Is it completely social, or will it encompass a discussion about writing? Will the group decide on a topic ahead of time, and choose one person to present it, or will everyone take turns to speak on the topic? Will any writing be presented for discussion, or will this be a between-meeting thing organized by individuals who want feedback?)

#  Will the group be organizing any longer social events? (e.g. yearly weekends away or writing workshops?)

#  Will the group provide support for writing time for members who need it (e.g. in the form of babysitting for frazzled parents, or relief for a writer who is chief carer.)

Checklist 15 – Group Meeting Checklist – Critique Group

A writer's critique group offers support and social interaction with other writers, but its main purpose is to provide feedback on writing technique and plotting, with the intention of helping all members to develop their skills.  These are just some of the aspects of establishing and running a critique group that you should consider.

#  Where will the meetings to be held? (One venue all the time? Private house or public hall? Members to take turns hosting? Take into consideration that some public venues [such as the back room of a restaurant] can lack privacy for readings.)

#  Do you want a group that focuses on a specific genre? (e.g. romance, mysteries, children’s books?)

#  How big will the group be? (A social group can be large, but a critique group usually works better if there are not too many people in it, so everyone gets a chance to comment/read work/request feedback.)

#  How often will meetings be held? (Monthly? Two-Weekly? Weekly?)

#  On what day and at which time will the group meet? (Morning, afternoon or evening? Weekday or weekend?)

#  Who 'owns' the group? (The person who established it? Is it a loosely-knit group with no one leader? Who makes the decisions about the future of the group or the way that it is run?)

#  Is the group open to new members? (Is there a process on admitting or voting in new members? Does a place open up if someone leaves? What if someone wants to come back after an absence?)

#  Must group members have reached a certain level of competence before being admitted, or are beginners welcome? (Groups comprised solely of beginners often find it difficult to get quality feedback to help writers grow.)

#  Will refreshments be served? (if so, how will this be organized? Roster? Host provides? Restaurant? Snacks or full meal?)

#  Will refreshments be served at the beginning or end of the meeting?

#  Who will run the meetings? (Is there a different organizer for each meeting, or will one person be elected each year?)

#  Is there going to be a group newsletter? (If so, who will collate it? Who will contribute? Who will send it?)

#  Do you plan to have a regular meeting format, or will the structure of the following meeting be planned each time the group meets?

#  Will the group have one main critique session, or will the meeting be divided up into different sessions? (e.g. technique, plotting, promotion.)

#  Will there be a set topic for each meeting or will any member be encouraged to discuss any topic?

#  How will critiquing of work be organized? (Will work be sent to group members to read and make notes before the meeting, or will work be read aloud? Note that the quality of the critique is often better if people have time to read it away from the group first.)

#  Will comments/critiques be emailed or passed on to the writer?

#  Does the group want to plan yearly or twice-yearly retreats or workshops for members?

#  Will the meeting allow time for social interaction? (Most groups do this naturally - the hardest part is to ensure that regular, quality critiquing occurs!)

 Checklist 16 – Critique Feedback Checklist

The type of feedback exchanged between critique partners will be different for various aspects of technique. (See earlier checklists for plot, dialogue, characters, scenes etc.) This more general checklist will give members of a critique group some idea of what to look for in a scene of fiction or a short story.

#  Is there a sense of connection with the reader? (Does the reader immediately become engrossed in the action? Do we engage with the main character?)

#  Does the opening arouse curiosity or interest?

#  Is the setting (place and time) clear and believable?

#  Do the characters come to life? (If not, what does the reader see as a potential problem?)

#  Does the story move along at a good pace? (If there are any slow sections, where are they and why do they seem slow?)

#  Is the general tone and style appropriate for the genre? (e.g. chick-lit, humor, mystery/thriller)

#  Are the characters appropriate for the genre? (If not, why not?)

#  Does the dialogue sound realistic and move at a good pace? (If not, why not? How could it be improved?)

#  Are speech tags, actions, direct speech, thoughts, emotions and body language balanced in a scene of dialogue? (If not, is any one of these used too much?)

#  How is the mood established? Does the setting contribute to this?

#  Is description filtered into the story through the viewpoint character, or is it unnecessary/too flowery/dull?

#  Is it clear from the beginning whose viewpoint we are in?

#  Does the writer show, rather than tell (most of the time)?

#  Is there plenty of emotional depth? (That is, can the reader identify emotionally with what the characters are going through?)

#  Are there any obvious errors with background, setting, history, etc. (any areas that may need more research)

#  If this is a self-contained scene, does the scene have an inciting incident? Does the viewpoint character have a goal?

#  Does tension build throughout the scene/story?

#  Does the reader care about what happens to the character(s)? (This is subjective. If the reader can't identify enough with the characters to care what happens to them, he/she should try to identify why not. For example, is the problem they face too insignificant?)

#  Is there something at stake for the main character? Does the author raise the stakes as the story continues?

#  Does the reader want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next?

#  If this is a short story or the final scenes, are all loose ends tied up satisfactorily?

#  Is the ending satisfying? (Is it clichéd? Does it fizzle out? Does it leave the reader wanting more, or feeling short-changed?)

Section 6 – Social Networking & Websites

Many writers are reluctant to embrace social networking, seeing it as a waste of precious writing time. It’s true that spending time on Facebook and Twitter, or creating blog posts, can eat into your day. If you are already a successful author, with plenty of devoted fans who will buy anything you write, then by all means ignore it.

The rest of us have had to come to terms with the fact that social networking (blogging; posting on Facebook and Twitter; participating in forums) can do more than anything else to expand our ‘reach’ as writers and win new readers. This, in turn, impacts on our sales and therefore our income.

Indie writers, particularly, know that they have to become part of the huge global social network in order to be ‘visible’ to readers.

The following four checklists cover the steps you need to take when setting up a website or blog, becoming part of the Facebook and Twitter community, or expanding your writer’s network.

Checklist 17 – Setting up a Website or Blog

There are many ways of achieving your goal of establishing a writer’s website or blog. You can go it alone, or hire someone to do the job for you. You can use WordPress to set up a very serviceable website that can also host your blog – it is one of the easiest ways a writer can secure an online presence.

The following checklist will not show you how to create a website. It is just intended to get you thinking about what you want to achieve, and how you will go about getting it.

#  What 'look' do you want your website to have? (A fun place to visit? Information about your books and author talks? Pages from which schools can download worksheets to go with your books?)

#  What do you want to have on your website or blog? (Do you want to use WordPress and have a combination of static pages and a blog? Do you want just a few pages that showcase you and your books, which you will rarely have to update? Do you want to make regular blog posts to attract readers and involve them in discussions?)

#  Make a list of pages you want on your site.

#  Make a list of post categories you want on your blog. (Browse other writers' blogs to see how they organize their posts.)

#  How will you create your website/blog? (Do you want to do it yourself? Outsource the job to someone?)

If you want to do it yourself...

#  What platform will you use? (e.g. WordPress? Blogger? Website creation software? An online site provided by your web host? You might like to browse the Internet for options before you decide.)

#  If you are using WordPress, will you host it on the WordPress site, or host it yourself? (using a web host such as Hostgator, for example)

#  If you are going to host it yourself, which theme will you use? (Many web hosts will have cPanel, which allows you to install a WordPress blog in a couple of clicks. WordPress will come with a default theme. You can use this, or search for another one you like better. Just do a search for 'WordPress themes'.) Weaver II is free, and a nice theme with plenty of options for customization.

#  Do you want to upload a personalized header graphic for your site? If so, how will you create this?

#  Do you need to outsource header graphics or buy software to help you create it?

#  Do you need help with anything else? (Have an IT-savvy family member or friend handy if you struggle with technological issues.)

If you want to outsource it...

#  Create a list of providers who can give you what you want. (Ask other writers or do an Internet search, using terms like 'Website creation' or 'who can set up a blog?' Make sure you compare prices.

#  Establish a realistic budget for your website or blog and don't go over it. (Remember that you can quickly and easily create a free blog via either Blogger or WordPress.)

#  If the person who sets up your blog doesn't do header graphics, find someone who can do this as well.

General Maintenance

#  Plan and write the content of the pages you want on your website.

#  Plan and write the first few blog posts.

#  Establish a regular routine for adding posts to your blog or content to your website.

Checklist 18 – Your Facebook Page

Note that Facebook Terms and Conditions may change at any time. Always check that you have the most recent advice by checking out their 'help' and FAQ pages.

#  Visit other Facebook pages to see what other authors post on their pages. Make a list of Facebook author pages that you like, so you can use them as a model.

#  Ensure that you have a personal Facebook account first. If you haven't done this yet, use this link: http://www.facebook.com/help/sign-up You need to set up a personal account before you can set up a Facebook Page as an author or a business.

#  If you don't want to use your personal Facebook page, put only minimal information on it. Then go into the Settings and choose 'me only' to see the page. Read Facebook help page so you understand how to make the most of your privacy settings.

#  To set up a Facebook business page (just known as a Facebook Page): go to your private account and log in.

#  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'new page'.

#  Choose the category that best suits your purpose. This could be Artist, Band or Public Figure" and you can then choose 'Author' from the drop-down box. If you wish to promote your books or a series, you could choose  product/service). As an author, you are establishing a 'brand' so people recognize you - and that brand can be your name. So 'brand or product' would be fine.

#  When the 'brand or product' box opens up, click on the 'down' arrow and choose an appropriate category. "Product/Service" is the one usually chosen.

#  Add your picture. You can navigate to a suitable picture on your computer. If you don't want your face to be on your page, you can use any picture or piece of clip art related to your business.

#  Edit your information section. What do you want to tell people about your product or service? Write a concise paragraph here.

#  Invite your friends... if you want to. (If you have just created a FaceBook personal account, you won't have any friends listed yet. You can, if you wish, send out an email notifying your friends and inviting them to visit your page and 'like' it. Make sure you include the URL so they know where to go!)

#  Write your first post (also known as 'adding content to your wall'.) Do this in the 'status' box. Make sure you hit 'enter' so the post shows up. Make it interesting and invite responses from people. You could also add links to your book or books.

#  Make a list of interesting content or links to other sites that you could add to your FaceBook page. When people find it (or are told about it) they will click the 'like' button, and that will, in turn, help other people to find the page - and to learn about your books.

#  Create a schedule to post regularly to your Facebook page. Your followers will gradually increase.

Checklist 19– Getting Started with Twitter

Twitter sometimes seems strange to those who haven't become involved with it, but it is one of the most powerful social networks around. If you learn how to use Twitter and attract lots of followers, it can have a very positive effect on book sales.

#  Search for and download a guide to starting out with Twitter. There are plenty of them around, and you need to understand what you are doing before you jump in. Charlene Kingston has created an excellent guide called Twitter for Beginners. You can download it here: http://socialmediadiyworkshop.com/products/

#  Set up a Twitter account at http://twitter.com

#  Your profile: Use your real name if you want friends and other writers to be able to find you. (Your Twitter username can be different.)

#  Add your location (this is optional, to let people know where you are in the world)

#  Add your weblink (this can be to your blog or website. If you have neither, you can build a Twitter landing page.)

#  Fill in your bio. (This has to be SHORT, like all Twitter messages. You have only 160 characters, so make them count!)

#  Choose an appropriate UserName. This should represent your book(s), your series, your business or your brand. Keep this short, too. No spaces or punctuation.

#  Upload an avatar (picture) so people associate it with you. You can use anything you like, but mostly people prefer to look at a face.

#  To find people to follow: do a search on Twitter for authors you like, or book bloggers, etc. Look for people with a large following, and click 'follow' to get their tweets.

#  Also browse around in the lists of people that are following your favorite authors. Some of them will have large groups of followers. You might like to follow them, too.

#  Investigate programs like Hootsuite to help you easily manage your Tweets and Facebook pages.

#  Look for opportunities to tweet about an interesting web site, a useful blog post, or offer advice to other writers (pointing back to a page on your blog, perhaps.)

#  Gradually build a relationship with other people on Twitter. You will see your list of followers growing. Your friends on Twitter will help to promote your books (and buy your books!)

#  Don't follow EVERYONE back. You'll have too many tweets to handle. Be selective. 

Checklist 20 – Your Writer’s Network

Work constantly on your writer's network. You can make valuable contacts that will help you in many ways - by buying your books, and helping you to promote them.

#  Work out a list of what KIND of people you want to add to your network. (Authors, potential critique partners, book bloggers, industry professionals like editors and agents, POD publishers etc.)

#  Work out where you can FIND these people. (Forums, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Writers' Centers, etc.)

#  Spend time on these forums/blogs or on Twitter and Facebook. (Create a Twitter account and Facebook page if you need to.) Start commenting, offering help, and generally responding to people.

#  Draw up a program for gradually expanding your network by developing the contacts you have initiated. Aim to become friends with them via blog comments, forum posts, Tweets and Facebook comments, then IF there is a genuine relationship developing, become email friends.

#  Buy books by authors you like (to support them, to give feedback and/or reviews, and to be able to discuss the books in forums.)

#  Establish a budget for conferences and workshops if this is part of your plan. Choose functions where you can expand both your knowledge AND your network.

#  Aim for variety in your friends/contacts. (E.g. authors you like, potential critique partners or writers in the same genre, editors with a good knowledge of the industry, book store owners, etc.)

#  Create a contacts list/book (on your computer or in a notebook). Keep up-to-date information about email addresses, Twitter accounts, Facebook pages and blog/website addresses. Record the date of any contact made (be brief - e.g. "Tweet" or "Facebook comment" or "Blog response". Don't just contact people when you want something - a genuine relationship goes both ways.

#  Decide whether you need face-to-face contact with writers on a regular basis. If you do, join a nearby group or start your own.

#  Join GoodReads. Here you can interact with authors, keep an eye on what people are reading, promote your own books and have your own page.

#  Join LinkedIn. (Same as above for GoodReads. Another good networking site.)

#  Join professional groups connected with your genre (e.g. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers, Mystery Writers.)

Section 7 – Getting Published

The face of publishing has changed dramatically in the past few years. Once, writers had to go through the process of researching publishers, acquainting themselves with each individual publisher’s requirements, sending a query letter and perhaps a partial, waiting to hear whether they’d been successful – and then going through the whole process again if they were not.

Now it’s different. Writers can choose to self-publish, and it’s finally accepted that it’s not only ‘okay’ to take matters into their own hands – it’s often the smart choice.

The following three checklists cover researching publishers in general, writing a query and synopsis, and publishing on Amazon Kindle.

There are other options such as CreateSpace and Smashwords, but all have excellent ‘help’ pages to walk you through the process of formatting and uploading your work. Use the Kindle checklist as a model for creating your own checklist for other publishers.

If you do this, then each time you upload a book, you’ll be sure to complete every step.

Checklist 21 – Researching Publishers

These days the field is wide open for authors. Once, writers used to make a list of possible (traditional)  publishers for their manuscript, and work through them, hoping someone would say 'yes'. These days you have far more choice: you can query traditional publishers, use a POD (Print on Demand) publisher, or become your own publisher on sites like Amazon Kindle, CreateSpace, Lulu and Smashwords. Here are some tips on how to find a publisher that’s right for you.

#  Go to a library or an online bookstore and start making a list of publishers of your preferred genre (or genres).

#  Subscribe to well-known publishing newsletters that tell you what publishers are buying.

#  Consider signing up for a subscription to a Writer’s Marketplace. (There are various options in different countries.)

#  Spend time on writing and publishing forums to find out what people are saying about various publishers. Also try social networking sites like LinkedIn and GoodReads.

# Check out both traditional publishers and e-publishers online. Note submission requirements. Note the names of editors who take submissions.

#  Check to see if the publisher has a downloadable publishing guide.

#  Note which publishers will take submissions only from agents.

#  Check out the options for independent publishing online. (Some well-known platforms are Amazon Kindle, CreateSpace, Smashwords, Lulu and a few others. There are many smaller ones. Do a search for 'independent publishers' and similar terms.)

#  Ascertain your rights as an author. (Can you publish somewhere else if it doesn't work out? Do you retain digital rights? Will you have input into the cover design?)

#  Check out options for marketing, distributing and selling your book. (Will the publisher do all the work? Are you expected to help with promotion - or to do ALL the promotion?)

#  Decide whether you want to submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher or an e-publisher that handles formatting and distribution, or whether you want to go it alone as an indie (independent) author.

#  Research costs carefully. A traditional publisher pays and advance plus royalties but doesn't ask for money upfront. A co-publishing venture may ask you to share upfront costs. As an independent publisher you pay any NECESSARY costs yourself. If you are e-publishing with (for example) Amazon, you may have to pay nothing at all if you do the formatting and cover design yourself.

#  Check the publisher’s reputation. Ask in forums or do an online search [PUBLISHER’S NAME + SCAM]. If the publisher has been accused of running a scam it will probably show up somewhere.

#  When you are satisfied that you have found the right publisher for you, set up a plan for either submitting to that publisher or publishing your book yourself.   

Checklist 22 – Writing a Synopsis

You may not need to worry about writing a synopsis if you are publishing your own book. However, most authors use various forms of a synopsis to help promote or sell their books. Some authors use a 'working synopsis' as an aid to plotting: this kind of synopsis changes as the story develops. Basically, a synopsis is a summary of your book, in the TONE of your book.

#  Do you tell the whole story in an entertaining way? (A synopsis is a sales tool as well as a story summary.)

#  Does the tone of the synopsis reflect the tone of your book?

#  Does the opening paragraph hook the reader and immediately interest him/her in the story?

#  Have you included the ending? (A synopsis is not the same as a book blurb, which 'hooks' the reader without giving away the main plot points or the ending.)

#  Do you clearly identify the lead character(s) and what their goals/problems are?

#  Will the reader relate to your characters and want to read their story?

#  Does each paragraph flow logically and entertainingly to the next?

#  Have you hit the high points of the story, showing the main scenes and major conflicts, without getting lost in the minor plot points?

#  Does the reader have an overall sense of how everything unfolds and how everything is resolved - or has something vital been left out?

#  Have you written your entire synopsis in the present tense?

#  Have you checked your synopsis to ensure there are not mistakes with spelling, grammar and punctuation?

#  Have you used paragraphs effectively? (No large, dense chunks of text!)

#  Have you avoided all grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes?

#  Have you written your synopsis in different lengths, ready for different purposes? (You may be sending your synopsis to different people for different reasons - when you want them to read a review copy, arrange a radio interview, etc. Practice writing a synopsis in these lengths: half a page, one page, two pages.)

Checklist 23 – Publishing on Kindle

Check the Kindle Direct Publishing site (KDP) regularly for any changes in policy, upload instructions, etc. Use the checklist below as a guide, and update when necessary.

#  When your story is finished (including the final edit and polish) format it ready to upload to Kindle. Keep formatting simple. Avoid bulleted lists, headers, footers, page numbers or fancy fonts.

#  Use Word Styles and use Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for sub-titles and Heading 3 for sub-sub titles. You can use 'indent' for a list, but indent it only a few characters (Change this in the Word settings; don't just hit the space bar.)

#  If necessary, do some online training/research on the Microsoft site to learn how to use Styles.

#  Create or commission the cover for your book. Make sure your book has a professional cover! (Take a look on Amazon's bestseller list to see what you're up against.)

#  Use page breaks, not hard returns. Start each chapter on a new page. (You can refer to the Microsoft site to learn how to include a page break with a Heading 1 style.)

#  If you include links (URLs) add hyperlinks to make them clickable. (Highlight the text you want linked, click Insert >> Hyperlink.)

#  Insert a TOC (Table of Contents) based on your header styles. The TOC will then include all your chapter headings.

#  Do a final save as both .doc (not .docx) and as an .html file (save as Web Page, Filtered.)

#  Download Mobipocket creator and convert your file to .mobi (the Kindle format.)

#  Preview it using Kindle Previewer (you can download this to your computer.)

#  If everything looks OK, write a catchy book description that will encourage people to buy your book. (Look at similar titles to yours to see how they describe their books.) Have this ready to copy and paste into the Book Description section when you upload your book.

#  Sign on with KDP. (Note: you will need to have an Amazon account to do this. It takes only seconds to create if you don't have one.)

#  Take the time to read through the KDP help pages so you will feel comfortable with the experience.

#  Follow the steps outlined by KDP. (Note: Under 'contributors' you will put your name. If no-one else has contributed, that's all you need to put. Some boxes that can be left blank are: Publisher, ISBN and publication date. Do NOT leave the payment information box blank, unless you don't want to receive royalties!)

#  Upload your book cover. Take note of the size recommended by Amazon. (This will also appear on the inside of your book when people download it.)

#  Upload your manuscript. This can be in the form of a .doc, .html, or a .mobi file.

#  Choose your preferred publishing rights (usually worldwide) and pricing.

#  Read and check the KDP Terms and Conditions

#  Click SAVE AND PUBLISH!

A Final Word – and a Bonus for You

These 23 checklists will cover a lot of ground for you as an author. Of course they don’t encompass every aspect of writing (I’d be sitting here typing for a year, if that were the case) but they will get you off to an excellent start.

If you belong to a writing group, an excellent activity is to encourage everyone in the group to contribute a checklist, on any aspect of writing or career development. Discuss those checklists in a meeting, modify them if necessary, and share them around. And then go home and personalize each checklist so you get the most out of it!

And now for the really good news…

I have a special bonus for you (you’ll love this!) Although a book of checklists on your e-book reader is enormously handy because it’s so portable, sometimes it’s even more useful if you can print off ready-made checklists to put on the desk beside you as you type or edit your work… right?

Right!

So… buyers of The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists will be able to get ALL the checklists in this book in a printable PDF format.

Here’s how you do it. Just forward your Amazon receipt for The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists to: bw-checklists@aweber.com  and I’ll be happy to send you the whole set. (After you forward your receipt, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm your purchase and to agree that you would like the set of printable checklists - so keep an eye out for it! You need to click the link in that email to finish the process and get your set of Checklists.)

You might also like to sign up for Updates on the Busy Writer blog – that way you’ll get to hear about all the special ‘extras’ for our readers!

Appendix 1: More Help for Writers

When they start to write, most writers hit a snag here and there. They might find that their characters aren’t really coming to life on the page, or that the dialogue isn’t sounding natural, or that the pace seems a bit slow in some parts of the novel.

That’s exactly why I started up a website for writers over a decade ago. I wanted a place where writers could go to find the advice they needed, or to get extra help at a crucial point in their novel.

You will find hundreds of articles on writing on this site. Go to www.writing4success.com and scroll through the list. There are articles on creating characters, adding emotional punch, how to solve plotting problems, endings, writing for children, writing crime and mystery fiction, and building a writing career. You can also subscribe to a regular writer’s newsletter, the Writing4Success Tipsheet – and if you need more personalized help with your writing, there are two 5-module e-courses with writing tasks that focus on your work in progress : Spotlight on Plotting and Spotlight on Characters.

The Busy Writer Series

Here’s a list of all the books in The Busy Writer Series. No padding, no fluff… just practical, easy-to-follow strategies that will help you produce well-plotted, polished books.

The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Plot – if you just can’t come up with a viable plot (or you’re writing yourself into a corner because you haven’t taken the time to plot) this will give you a good, solid framework for your novel – in just sixty minutes!

The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Character – perfect for creating vibrant, well-rounded characters quickly! It comes with extra tips on fleshing out characters, creating a ‘supporting cast’, character growth and series characters.

The Busy Writer’s KickStart Program – designed to get you up and running, no matter what hurdles are getting in the way of writing your book. This 8-step program walks you through clearing the decks to get started fast (even if you’re blocked); how to get past roadblocks, building in support and rewards, improving style and technique, and the basics of plotting and character creation.

The Busy Writer’s Self-Editing Toolbox – Even if you get feedback from others, you need to be able to edit and polish your own work. (The less work your book needs, the more chance you have of having it published.) These simple and effective “tools” will make your writing sparkle!

The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists – What does a writer use all the time? Yes, checklists! Checklists to fine-tune plots, characters and scenes; checklists to give feedback to critique partners; checklists to create websites and Facebook pages. This collection has 20 checklists for writers, plus tips on how to create good checklists of your own.

Happy writing! I look forward to seeing your books for sale on Amazon.com. Meanwhile, if you have any questions or comments, just send me an email at thebusywriter@gmail.com

- Marg

If you enjoyed The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists, please let your writing friends know… and leave a review on the Amazon site. Your review will help other authors to make a decision about the most helpful books to develop their writing skills.